ALBION were today waiting to find out whether Celtic would be pursuing their interest in Tony Mowbray.

The Baggies boss is among a number of names being considered by the Parkhead club following the departure of Gordon Strachan, although Burnley’s Owen Coyle seems the preferred choice according to reports today.

Senior Celtic officials met in London yesterday to discuss the managerial vacancy.

It has been claimed in Scotland that David Moyes was the initial No.1 choice but, realistically, he is beyond the SPL club’s reach due to his growing status at Everton.

That leaves several other candidates in the frame, including Mowbray, who was carrying on as normal at Albion’s training ground yesterday.

Celtic would need to pay in excess of £1million to release Mowbray from his Albion contract if they wish to take him back to Scotland.

Although this seems like a small figure in the general scheme of things – Wigan, for instance, paid £3million to Blues for Steve Bruce last season – the Glasgow club have tried to avoid such compensation packages in the past.

The Baggies issued a statement yesterday afternoon which said: “Tony Mowbray is under contract for the next two years and we fully expect him to be our manager next season.

“Further than that, the club feels there is no need to comment on speculation.”

Other managers being strongly linked with the job include Craig Levein and Mark McGhee, who is understood to have an agreement in his Motherwell contract which enables him to speak to interested clubs.

Meanwhile, Borja Valero admitted he was willing to honour his contract with Albion, despite relegation. He intends to hold talks with club officials.

“I still have a three-year contract here,” said Borja, who joined Albion in a deal worth £4.7million last summer.

“Playing in the second division is not ideal but if I have to put up with it then I am going to put up with it. I like being here.’’